The unheard voices of detention in Australia
Explore the critical gap between Australia's international human rights commitments and their enforcement within domestic law. Understand how this impacts individuals, especially vulnerable groups like children, within the Australian legal and detention systems.
International promises versus domestic reality
Australia's engagement with international treaties often creates a dichotomy: signed and ratified on the global stage, yet often not directly enforceable in Australian courts. This section explains how this gap can affect the practical rights of people in state and federal legal systems. We explore topics such as the ICCPR and arbitrary detention, the CRC and the best interests of children, CAT and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment, CRPD and disability in detention, CEDAW and family violence/women in migration, and non-refoulement obligations.
Children, families & separation: a critical focus
This section focuses on the profound impact of detention, removal, deportation, family violence systems, and immigration decision-making on children. We highlight the unique challenges faced by Australian-born children of non-citizens and delve into the principle of the 'best interests of the child,' examining how it is applied—or often overlooked—in these complex situations.
Documenting medical complaints and human rights violations
The voices of detainees are often silenced. This section provides crucial information and tools for documenting medical complaints, delayed specialist treatment, mental health harm, and disability issues within detention facilities. We cover categories such as physical pain and injury, nerve pain, respiratory harm, mental health deterioration, sleep deprivation, and failures in emergency care. Find evidence tools like medical complaint diaries, pain scale trackers, medication logs, and incident report templates, empowering individuals to advocate for their rights. The AHRC has specifically produced standards for humane treatment in immigration detention, and the Commonwealth Ombudsman has reported on OPCAT monitoring of onshore immigration detention.